Loen, Sivellas County. A defensive line, already taking shape, guarded all major transportation routes in the southern Hornacis Mountains.
It defended against Beyonder teams from Intis intelligence agencies attempting to cross dangerous paths, bypass the defenses, and sabotage important industrial cities in Sivellas County and even Midseashire County, thereby destroying Loen's war potential. Simultaneously, it also prepared for potential direct conflicts.
Emlyn White, the Moon, who had thoroughly digested the Scarlet Scholar potion, gazed with a complex expression at the mountains silhouetted under the crimson Moonlight, habitually twirling Lilith's Ring on his index finger. Led by Baron Cosmi, he entered a renovated ancient castle.
Ever since Feynapotter declared war on Loen, the Harvest Church in Backlund had closed. Father Utravsky and Emlyn had been placed under protective custody by the Church of Evernight in St. Samuel Church.
It wasn't until the three Sanguine Dukes collectively summoned and awakened numerous elderly Sanguine who had prolonged their lives through slumber, beginning to mobilize the entire Sanguine, that Emlyn was released after negotiations and assigned to a team led by Marquis Nibbs, arriving in Sivellas County.
A rich ripple of Yin energy emanated. Cosmi, leading the way, consciously stopped and glanced at Emlyn, saying:
"Viscount White, my grandfather is inside."
Emlyn took a deep breath, suppressing the chaotic thoughts in his mind, pushed open the heavy stone door, and saw a black iron coffin covered with symbolic patterns and magical markings:
"Respected Lord Nibbs, why have you summoned me?"
As the stone door slowly closed, a deep, aged, and slightly low voice emerged from within the heavy, black iron coffin:
"The clan has recently acquired quite a few Beyonder characteristics of the Moon Pathway, including several Count characteristics..."
Nibbs's voice paused slightly, causing Emlyn's heart to suddenly pound like a spasm before he continued with a faint smile:
"According to some intelligence we possess, Hornacis will soon be engulfed in war, just like the Midseashire and Amantha defense lines."
"Therefore, based on your contributions, the clan has decided to help you advance to Count. Coupled with that Ring of the Ancestor, you can play a greater role in the war. To prevent the temptation of evil existences, your ritual will be personally overseen by me!"
Emlyn, almost dizzy with the sudden surprise, nodded repeatedly, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the gem that flew out of the coffin, seemingly condensed from rich blood.
It was the size of a fist, emitting a crimson glow, like a miniature Crimson Moon. A craving from deep within his spirit assured Emlyn that this was the Beyonder characteristic corresponding to a Sanguine Count.
As the surprise gradually settled and his intelligence returned to its peak, Emlyn quickly realized something was amiss. When he was about to finish digesting the Scarlet Scholar potion in Backlund, he had asked Cosmi; with his contributions at that time, he wasn't even in the top ten of the clan's candidate list. Let alone now, after being under protective custody for a long time and having just arrived at the front line without any achievements.
With many conjectures in his heart, Emlyn did not press further, planning to discuss it at the Tarot Club. He then sat cross-legged to adjust his state to the best, while deliberately changing the subject:
"I've learned from some channels that Zaratul, the leader of the Secret Order, has recovered from his loss of control. If this Sequence 1 Angel makes a move, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold the Hornacis defense line..."
From within the heavy, black iron coffin, a voice resumed after three or four seconds:
"No matter, Duke Olmer is in Sivellas County. He will act if necessary!"
"Get ready. In another quarter of an hour, I will create a full Moon to aid your advancement..."
In Osel, the capital of East Tucker County, the dark golden mist permeating the void slowly dispersed, and figures emerged. Leading them was Aaron, who had been silent and missing for several days.
Relying on the Nation of Disorder's erosion of reality, he extracted its essence and discarded its dross, successfully integrating the two somewhat similar but distinct Beyonder Pathways of 'Endowment' and 'Grace' from the traditional potion system, and used them to help them successfully advance to demigods.
"The MI9 of various Loen counties has been purged. Now it is time for you to fill the void and re-establish order. This is both an opportunity to digest the potion and to help you gain enough anchors to balance your divinity, otherwise you will not escape the fate of losing control."
Feeling the peculiar connection between the Nation of Disorder and the newly advanced demigods, Aaron nodded with satisfaction. While sternly admonishing them, his figure had already vanished into thin air. A 'Wander' brought him to a very secluded island in the Fog Sea, appearing in Emerald City.
Bernadette was playing chess, a game only a few people in this world knew, with Roselle's historical projection. Bornova, dressed in a simple white robe, stood quietly to one side, a faint smile on his face.
"It seems I've come at an inconvenient time..."
The sudden voice attracted the attention of the few. Aaron, revealing his form, chuckled and teased.
Roselle was not surprised by his appearance. He beckoned to Bornova, and a grey and white compass immediately flew out, then landed in Aaron's hand:
"This is what you wanted to create before, a Mystical Item that can track followers of the Uncertain Mist. Its sensing range can roughly cover a medium-sized city. For greater precision, unless the artisan hidden in the Astral World personally crafts it for you."
"That's enough. It's just a matter of spending more time..." Aaron was not too demanding. After playing with it for a while, he put it into the Nation of Disorder. Suddenly, as if sensing something, he tilted his head slightly.
Outside Emerald City, the lush forest was withering at an incredible speed, as if drained of life. On the desertified soil, two Melissas stood facing each other.
Before she could digest the knowledge gained after pushing open the door to divinity, Melissa, barely concealing her excitement, manipulated the puppet modeled after herself, which she had refined during the advancement ritual. A soothing voice came to her ears:
"According to the previous promise, once you obtain divinity, I will send you off La Cha Island!"
While Melissa was momentarily stunned, a faint blue portal quietly appeared. After the suddenly brilliant light faded, she found herself somewhat astonished to be on a street. The towering Gothic clock tower not far away confirmed that this was Backlund.
"She is Klein's sister..." After sending Melissa away casually, Aaron briefly explained to Roselle before looking back at Bernadette:
"Before this world-sweeping war ends, the operation to track the Moses Ascetic Order will temporarily cease. The existence of the Hidden Sage is a prerequisite for stabilizing the God of Steam and Machinery."
"Now that the Sanguine have joined the war, the Amantha defense line and the Midseashire have gradually gained an advantage, but the Intis people in the Hornacis Mountains are stirring, with Zaratul secretly fanning the flames."